But God: Finding True Peace Amid Life's Chaos

Ephesians 2:1–10 unfolds a clear, urgent diagnosis of human condition and a decisive divine response. The passage traces the trajectory from spiritual death—living under trespasses, following the world and the prince of the power of the air, and fulfilling fleshly desires—to a dramatic rescue that only God can enact. The text emphasizes the reality of two conflicting natures inside people: a default, sinful orientation that blinds and destroys, and a new, spiritual orientation given by God. The declaration “you were” drives home the former state; the turning point arrives in the simple but explosive phrase “but God.” That intervention displays six attributes of divine action: abundant mercy, great love, making the dead alive in Christ, raising and seating believers with Christ, and preparing to reveal immeasurable riches of grace across coming ages.

Grace emerges as the center of salvation—life by grace through faith, not by works—so that boasting finds no foothold. Being made alive in Christ carries practical consequences: resurrection into a new identity and placement with Christ in heavenly realms, accompanied by a calling to live out preprepared good works. The passage moves from theology into vocation: God fashions people as workmanship so that their transformed lives visibly display God’s kindness and invite others to trust. Historical and personal illustrations amplify the teaching: human plans fail, wars and cultural noise rob peace, yet God’s redemptive acts repeatedly overturn destined ruin.

Practical directions follow the doctrinal core. Trust emerges as primary posture amid overwhelming odds; drawing near to God and obeying his commands aligns the believer with the Spirit and cultivates peace. Proclaiming God’s deeds becomes the natural overflow of restored life, while peace is reframed not as absence of conflict but as the settled assurance of God’s presence. The passage culminates in an open invitation: lay burdens down, recognize the “but God” rescue, and step into the calling to live and work as visible evidence of divine grace.

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Dead in trespasses, alive in Christ The text insists on the stark reality of spiritual death: blindness to God, bondage to destructive paths, and habitual disobedience. Recognizing that condition prevents spiritual self-delusion and opens the way for genuine dependence. Honest appraisal of spiritual bankruptcy becomes the necessary soil for receiving new life. [38:00]
• 2. But God intervenes with rich mercy Divine mercy interrupts human doom not reluctantly but out of profound love; mercy flows because God is love. This intervention reverses trajectories—bringing life, raising up, and seating believers with Christ—so redemption reads as relational and intentional rather than merely legal. The “but God” pivot reshapes identity and purpose. [39:01]
• 3. Salvation by grace through faith Salvation arrives as an unearned gift so that works cannot claim credit or breed pride. Faith receives what grace gives and sustains dependence on God rather than self-sufficiency. This dynamic reframes daily obedience as response, not leverage. [40:19]
• 4. Created for good works, walk them New identity carries assigned vocation: workmanship designed for specific acts of love and service prepared beforehand. Living those works manifests God’s character to a watching world and completes the gospel’s public aim. Obedience becomes the visible echo of grace. [59:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [26:46] - Condolences and family prayer
• [28:21] - Transition to Ephesians 2:1–10
• [32:02] - Peace, the Beatitude, and the Spirit
• [35:22] - The battle of two natures
• [38:00] - “You were” — our former condition
• [39:01] - “But God” — divine intervention
• [40:19] - Grace through faith, not works
• [53:28] - Made alive, raised, and seated with Christ
• [75:31] - Invitation to respond and altar call

Bible reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Observation questions

1. What three specific descriptions does Paul use to detail our former spiritual condition before God intervened?
2. What are the six actions God takes, as listed in verses 4-7, that demonstrate His intervention in our lives?
3. According to verse 10, what is the purpose for which we were created in Christ Jesus?
4. The sermon described a "default setting" we are all born with. [45:56] What is this default setting and what are its characteristics?

Interpretation questions

1. Why is it significant that Paul emphasizes we were "dead" in our sins and not just "sick" or "lost"? What does being spiritually dead imply about our ability to save ourselves?
2. The phrase "but God" acts as a pivotal turning point in the passage. What does this two-word phrase reveal about the nature of salvation and where the initiative for it comes from?
3. The passage states that salvation is "not a result of works, so that no one may boast." If our good works don't save us, what role do they play in the life of a believer according to verse 10?
4. The sermon mentioned that true peace is not the absence of conflict but the knowledge that you are not alone. [01:14:20] How does being "seated with him in the heavenly places" provide a believer with that kind of peace amidst life's chaos?

Application questions

1. Everyone has a "you were" story—a time before Christ or a pattern of life opposed to God. What was a specific part of your "you were" story, and how does remembering it help you appreciate the "but God" moment in your life?
2. Since we are saved by grace and not by our own efforts, how can we actively fight the tendency to base our sense of security and acceptance with God on our own performance or good behavior?
3. We are God's workmanship, created for good works that He prepared for us. [59:41] What is one specific "good work" you feel God has prepared for you to walk in within your family, workplace, or community this week?
4. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but we have a choice to feed our new nature in Christ. [35:22] What is one practical way you can "feed" your spiritual nature this week instead of your old, default nature?
5. Trusting God is the primary posture amid overwhelming odds. [01:13:37] What is a current situation in your life that feels overwhelming, and what would it look like to actively choose to trust God with it today?
6. Part of our calling is to be a living testimony so others can see and put their trust in God. [58:37] Who in your life needs to hear your "but God" story, and how can you share it with them this week?